Lies.

From the Gonzaga Bulletin article titled Homosexuality & Catholicism: Misconceptions addressed by students and University Ministry by Joseph Suttner:

"First and foremost, [the Church] doesn't say anything in particular about homosexuality, per se. It does say that we are created in God's image, male and female created in God's image," Hightower said.

Hightower said the only document the American Catholic Church has to guide it on the topic of homosexuals within the Church is a document from the United States Bishops' Conference called "Always Our Children."

"They're not meaning to be experts on sexuality, they're not meaning to be experts on orientation, but they are providing pastoral ministry to parents and students at a very difficult time in someone's life as they come to terms and come to the freedom of their orientation," Hightower said.

Thanks to RealCatholicTV.com for initially getting this article out there.

*SIGH.* WHERE TO BEGIN?

1. The Church actually says quite alot "in particular about homosexuality, per se". She says it here, here, here, here, and in so many other documents that I can't link them all.

2. The "American Catholic Church" is not an entity. There is ONE Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

3. The document referenced was produced by a committee, not by the Bishops' Conference directly, and neglected to obtain any input from the majority of our Bishops. (Read this article by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz--again, thanks to RealCatholicTV for initially making it available.)

4. The Church's intent is singular: to provide for us the very means to our salvation, as Jesus Christ designed her to be. Thus Hightower's statement regarding the Church's "expertise" is laughable.

5. Homosexuality is, and has always been, considered DISORDERED, and therefore an obstacle to the grace of God and to our salvation which flows from His grace. Therefore, any member of the clergy either implying or outright stating otherwise is participating in the obstruction of God's saving grace and really needs to rethink his vocation.

Pray for our priests. Pray for Mother Church.

Priest Threatened and Subsequently Beaten

Still think the Church isn't in crisis around the world?

Priest attacked, guilty of celebrating the Latin Mass

"You have been tough, but we will smash your head. Signed, Your friend Satan". That was one of several threatening messages sent to Father Hernán García Pardo, parish priest of San Michele, in Ronta [Mugello region of the Province of Florence, Tuscany]. His fault [was] that of celebrating the Latin Mass, liberalized by Benedict XVI in September 2007.

San Michele, Ronta

The warnings, which had been recurrent for some time, had not made the priest, who despite everything has continued to say Mass according to the ancient rite, give up. The last chapter [took place] last Wednesday, when he was beaten up by a 'faithful' in the town's rectory in the presence of his aged mother. The beating led to bruising on his back; having been sent to the emergency room of Borgo San Lorenzo, he was medicated.

The news item was published today in the Giornale della Toscana; the accusations made against Father Hernán are those of scattering the flock; above all, he is not forgiven for distributing communion in the mouth [to the] kneeling [faithful], instead of on the hand, in the same manner as Benedict XVI. For others, the Italian-Argentine priest has only brought back some sacred austerity to the parish, excluding guitars from the functions and bringing back to within the walls of the church the ancient Gregorian chant.

Source: Rorate Caeli. Thanks to Catholic News Roundup at RealCatholicTV.com for providing this link to its viewers.